חביבה פדיה

so stalks the night its prey within the cavities of darkness

filled with such hunger famished does the night fall

gold trees rustling inside a strange aridity

fruit trees wakeful throughout the year

and in this sleeplessness the fruit fails to materialize

all is barren

for there is no rain, no rest, no respite

Remember us, Attend to us

and even the gold trees are parched

odd how much water bursts from the eyes of the thirsty when once more the deception is revealed

odd how meagre and wretched is the hidden one in his cradle like a grain failing to open in the dawn

odd how stark is the harsh rustle of the crumbling leaves

the rustle of the Shulamite’s hair shedding itself in the parched waterfalls

the scorched wastelands appearing within the forests

odd the prayer for the fruits of the soul from the trees of paradise

now bursting forth from the lips of the sleeping who forgot You and now endeavour

if You remember them they shall remember You and if You forget them what then …

strips of Your gold within the cavities of darkness

wailing: we were in the diminishing remnant of spirit, in the dwindling raiment of light

now we cry out our dirge for the seasons

Attend to us in autumn and in winter Our Lord, Attend to us in spring and in summer Our Lord

and with this Teach us to abandon the hope for picking

Redeem us from this uniform year, Strengthen us to endure this barrenness

strips of Your gold within the enveloping cavities of darkness roaring: give us a mission

allow within this weary and tearful desolation for the tree of life to be planted if only as a dream ….

Translated from the Hebrew by Tzvi Howard Cohen